Spain beat China to reach Fed Cup tennis final

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2008

BEIJING (AFP) — Five-time champions Spain reached the Fed Cup final Sunday, thumping China 4-1 to set up a title decider with Russia.

Nuria Llagostera Vives beat Peng Shuai 6-4, 6-4 in one hour and 34 minutes to give Spain an unassailable 3-0 lead after the first match.

"We knew we could win but we never expected to finish the first day 2-0 up and to be 3-0 up on the second day but we worked for this all week," Llagostera said.

"We have been very focused and we knew what we had to do to win every match," she added, saying team spirit was one of the reasons for the victory.

Team captain Miguel Margets Lobato said he believed the Spanish were capable of going on to lift the Fed Cup, even against tennis powerhouse Russia, who romped to a decisive 3-0...